Sport

Things to do

Transport

About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a breathtaking tribute to love, crafted from gleaming white marble and inlaid with intricate jewels and gemstones. It was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj as a memorial for this beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. According to legend, he called on the help of 20,000 stonemasons, carvers and jewellers from across the continent.

Today the Taj Mahal is a treasured World Heritage Site and considered one of the most beautiful buildings on the planet. The mausoleum is set on the south bank of the Yamuna River, on an elevated marble platform flanked by four soaring 40-metre-high white minarets. It's fronted by a shimmering reflection pool that mirrors the magnificent building.

Gaze up at the cavernous central chamber, admire the carved marble screens and stroll through the serene ornamental gardens. Rent an audio guide or commission one of the friendly guides outside the building.

Getting there

If you're staying in Agra, the Taj Mahal is an easy stroll from the city centre. Depending on where you're staying, the Taj Mahal can be accessed via the west, south and east gates. If you're day tripping from Delhi the drive takes roughly three hours each way.

Popular Taj Mahal Hotels

Featuring an outdoor pool, The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra is located in Agra and showcases impressive views of the Taj Mahal. The numerous facilities this luxury hotel has to offer include an express check-in and check-out feature, a beauty centre and valet parking.

Located in Agra, Hotel Taj Plaza is an easy drive from Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh. It provides a spa and wellness centre, as well as a coffee bar, an express check-in and check-out feature and a rooftop terrace.